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In a statement released at 12pm today, Wednesday, December 13, the comic said: “Due to unforeseen family circumstances, I deeply regret that I am having to cancel all of my upcoming stand up tour, Dance for Life, shows and any live work commitments.

“My sincerest apologies. This decision has not been taken lightly and I’m sure you’ll understand my family must always come first.

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"I hope that the media and the public will continue to respect our privacy at this time. Once again, I’ve very sorry.”

Anyone who has bought tickets for Peter Kay’s Live Arena Tour and Dance For Life shows will be refunded from their original point of purchase and specific ticket queries should be directed to them.

Mark Whiley, sports editor at the Lincolnshire Echo, is one of many fans affected by the announcement.

"I am very disappointed - I have already arranged a babysitter!" he said.

"I was very much looking forward to going.

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"My wife is a huge fan and has been to see him before.

"My parents and sister were also set to go on a different date."

But the cancellation has also affected his Christmas shopping plans.

"We bought it for my dad for a Christmas present, so it's quite sad," he said.

"I am disappointed, but family must come first and I wish him and all his family well."

Posts on the Facebook page were mostly supportive of the comedian.

Deb Langston said: "Absolutely the right thing to do. Whatever’s happening remember we’re all here for you and waiting for you when the time is right. Sending love to you and yours."

Memphis Maria said: "Take care...very sad on all counts for you and also the fans looking forward to seeing you..Hope everything is well soon l imagine it isn't if you have cancelled best wishes and lots of love to you all."

George Raison said: "We all hope whatever problem has caused this decision is resolved& sorted to satisfaction soon."

Danny Moore said: "For Peter Kay to cancel this tour shows it must be something serious. Everyone moaning about the odd couple of pounds lost from booking fees - think of the Millions that Peter Kay is losing now from what he would have made from doing the show, to turn that down shows how serious a problem it must be to make such a decision."

Janet Lakin-Jones said: "This must have been a very hard decision to make and I’m sorry to hear that you and your family are going through so much at this difficult time."God speed to you all your family, I and hope that one day we will get the chance to see you on stage again."

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Peter Kay was due to perform at the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham on January 23, 24, 25, 28 and 29 2019.

For customers who booked directly via the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham, the venue is arranging refunds to customers using the same payment method that tickets were paid for.

An email sent out to customers who booked via Eventim said: "You will be receiving a refund for your ticket(s) – including the the face value of the ticket, the booking fee and postage fee – even if your tickets have already been dispatched. There is no need to return your tickets to us."

The Mirror says that shortly after the announcement, Peter's website crashed under the weight of traffic from devastated fans wanting to know more about the cancellation. Twenty minutes after the statement, a line appeared on peterkay.co.uk reading: "The site is experiencing technical difficulties."

It was later replaced with a copy of the statement, but fans were unable to access other areas of the site as they had previously.

If customers paid by cash or if the card has expired, refunds will be made by cheque.

Tickets will be refunded within the next 10 working days.

His previous tour in 2010 still holds the Guinness World Record as the biggest selling comedy tour of all time, playing to more than 1.2 million people.